This poetic biography explores the life of Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan (1914-1944), the multitalented daughter of Sufi master Hazrat Inayat Khan (1882-1927), who has gained international acclaim for her heroic martyrdom as a French spy in WWII.
"Noor Inayat Khan's voice is one that we need to hear and take to heart. Noor is an extraordinary Sufi teacher, a saintly being, an artist, a gifted musician, an activist on behalf of liberation, a children's story muse, and so much more. She was a sage of a woman, a Muslim Sufi Bodhisattva. The voice of Noor is not a didactic voice, but a poetic one. In Tamam Kahn's beautiful work-Noor's Grace-we are taken along on a deep meditation with Noor and on Noor. Highly recommended for all spiritual seekers!" -Omid Safi, Founder and Director of Illuminated Tours and Courses, Professor of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at Duke University
"For Noor, literature was a venue for celebrating the chivalry of the heroes and heroines of ages past. In this deeply-felt volume, Tamam Kahn celebrates Noor's own chivalry through a poetic exploration of her formidable heart." - Pir Zia Inayat Khan, Leader of the Inayatiyya Order of Sufism, Nephew of Noor Inayat Khan
"These poems invoke Noor's nobility of spirit and bring to light a beautiful human being holding great vision and courage. Here is poetry that invitesour innate human capacity to turn towards Freedom, Love, and Peace-even in the face of cruelty and war. Noor Inayat has come and gone but this book calls up her living presence; a star who shines through the shadows, and reminds us of our innate capacity to love." - Halima Sussman, Senior Teacher in the Sufi Ruhaniat International
"The world is a place where suffering is inherent in the human condition with its lessons of old age, sickness and death. The world is a place where those whose hearts suffer from a loss of humanity cause immeasurable suffering by their hands. The world is a place where men and women who find the illuminating soul, are guided by its inherent and unlimited love, bring so much light that the darkness is dispelled and their example consistently informs us, inspires us, and guides us on how to realize the precious soul, the wondrous love, and the infinite light. Such people nurture our shared humanity. These poems arise from the life witness of a woman who was raised in, lived in, and gave her life to keep that light of love and its secret of liberty alive, for us. Thank you Noor for your life. Thank you Tamam for reminding us. Thank you God for the Light." - Jonathan Granoff (Ahamed Muhaiyaddeen), President of Global Security Institute"
"In vividly imagined verses, Tamam Kahn's poetry takes the reader on a journey through an extraordinary life- luminous, adventurous, tragic-one that spans continents and cultures and invites deep contemplation of the human condition . . . a well told story can heal, awaken, challenge or inspire." -Krista Bremer, Storyteller, former associate publisher of The Sun, author of A Tender Struggle
